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Prospects Liriano, Solis appear in Futures Game

Prospects Liriano, Solis appear in Futures Game

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Rymer Liriano

By Barry M. Bloom
/
MLB.com |

KANSAS CITY -- Outfielder Rymer Liriano is one of the top prospects in the Padres organization. And catcher Ali Solis was just surprised and delighted to be here for the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.

Both players for San Diego's Double-A San Antonio club were members of the World team roster for Sunday's 17-5 loss to the U.S. at Kauffman Stadium, the first major on-field event leading up to Tuesday night's 83rd All-Star Game.

"It's a great experience," said Solis, who came into the game in the sixth inning and lined out softly to short for the second out of the ninth, his only at-bat. "I was really floored when I heard the news. They told me I was coming here after the All-Star Game for the Texas League. I was kind of in shock for a little bit, but pretty happy to be called to play in this game. But I'm here and I'm going to try to do my best."

Solis was a late replacement for Yasmani Grandal, the catcher who was brought up to the Padres recently from Tucson and made a big splash after the struggling Nick Hundley was sent to Triple-A.

Despite a slow start, Liriano rebounded. As MLB.com's No. 2 Padres prospect, he hit .298 with five homers and 41 RBIs and 22 steals in 74 games for Single-A Lake Elsinore of the California League before being advanced to San Antonio, where he's hit .136 (3-for-22) in the eight games he's played at Double-A.

Liriano replaced D-backs prospect Alfredo Marte in left field during the fifth inning on Sunday and flied out to center two innings later in his only plate appearance.

"I'm really excited and very happy about this," Liriano said. "I'm very happy that the organization let me be here. I have a great approach for this game. It gave me an opportunity to show off my power and my ability."

Solis is batting .296 with five homers and 32 RBIs in 60 games for the Missions. He knows right now he's down the organizational chart at his position behind the surging Grandal and Hundley, who is trying to re-establish his hitting eye after batting .166 at the time of his demotion from the big leagues. Hundley is hitting .292 in the seven games since joining the Tucson Padres.

"I'm going to be in Double-A and if I have to stay there all year I don't care," Solis said. "But I'm going to be playing and that's what the important thing is. I'm so excited. Thank God for this opportunity. It means something to come here. I can't play right now up in the big leagues. But I hope someday I will. That's my dream."